State pension: You could boost sum by up to £55,000 – check if you are eligible | Personal Finance | Finance
The state pension provides regular financial support to Britons after years of hard work for many. At present, the full rate of the new state pension is £185.15 per week.
If gaps in a record are established as existing, eligibility must also be checked.
The DWP explains: “You must be eligible to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions for the time that the contributions cover.
“You can usually only pay for gaps in your National Insurance record from the past six years.”
Sometimes individuals can pay for gaps from more than six years ago, but this depends on age.
At present, individuals have until April 5, 2023 to pay voluntary contributions to make up for gaps between April 2006 and April 2016.
However, they must be a man born after April 5, 1951 or a woman born after April 5, 1953 to do so.
The current rates for the 2022/23 tax year are:
- £3.15 per week for Class 2 contributions
- £15.85 per week for Class 3 contributions
The option may not be suitable for everyone, despite many being eligible.
It is worth checking if it makes sense for a person financially before this journey is embarked upon.
In addition, voluntary contributions do not always boost a state pension.
Britons are encouraged to contact the Future Pension Centre to find out if they will benefit.
Some may even wish to get financial advice before deciding to make voluntary contributions.
